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College News
MAKING COVER CROPS WORK FOR FARMERS,
WATER QUALITY
Multidisciplinary research underway in CALS is addressing farmers’ questions about cover crops. Growth of cover crops between cash crops could help protect soil and water quality during intense rainfall events like those experienced in much of the Midwest in 2019. Matt Helmers, professor of ag and biosystems engineering, director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and holder of the Dean’s Professorship in CALS; Alison Robertson, professor of plant pathology and microbiology; and Mark Licht (’00 agronomy, ag extension education, ’03 MS soil science, ’15 PhD crop production and physiology), assistant professor and extension cropping systems specialist (above), discuss Iowa’s most popular cover crops and offer an update on their research investigating how to maximize corn performance in cover crop systems in this video. More
IOWA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION COMMITS
$1.5 MILLION FOR ISU’S FEED MILL PROJECT
The Iowa Crop Improvement Association has pledged $1.5 million to Iowa State University’s feed mill and grain science complex. The gift was announced in September, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the $21.2 million project, which will be located on university-owned land south of Highway 30 in Ames. The feed mill and grain science complex will be built entirely with gifts from private donors. The complex will include a feed mill tower, feed milling and mixing structures, grain storage bins, warehouse and an educational building with classrooms. Completion is expected during the summer of 2021. More
POULTRY MANURE IMPROVES PROFITS, SOIL HEALTH
A 20-year study by Iowa State researchers shows fertilizing cropland with poultry manure can benefit soil health and farm profits when compared to a commercial fertilizer. The study looked at long-term impacts of poultry manure on soil quality, crop yield, production costs and water quality in conventional Iowa cropping systems. Iowa’s consistent top placement in poultry production results in enough poultry manure annually to treat as many as 40 percent of the state’s continuous corn acres or 7 percent of total row crop acres. More
$10 MILLION FOR MULTI-STATE COVER CROP RESEARCH
Alison Robertson, a professor of plant pathology and microbiology, will lead a portion of a multi-state, $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture and Food Research to examine how planting cover crops on farm fields affects plant disease, pests and weeds. The overall project includes around 100 scientists at 35 institutions and will seek to enhance the effectiveness of cover crop-conservation tillage systems for commodity crops such as corn, soybeans and cotton. More
ISENHART, JOHNSON HONORED FOR RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
CALS presented applied research awards to two professors at the college’s convocation in September – Tom Isenhart (’83 botany, environmental studies, ’88 MS water resources, ’92 PhD) and Anna Johnson each received the Dean Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research. Isenhart, a natural resource ecology and management professor, has built partnerships with landowners, farmers and agencies to improve water quality. Johnson, an animal science professor, is focused on farm animal behavior and welfare. More
LISTEN IN: NEW PODCASTS FOR BEEF PRODUCERS, AG EDUCATORS
After noticing an uptick in the number of calls and emails from farmers while harvesting, Dan Loy, director of the Iowa Beef Center decided to create three podcast sessions in “The Bull Pen” now available for download. Download episodes on cattle and the environment, ranching and systems management and a visit with Joe Sellers (’76 animal science, ’91 MS ag education and studies), who recently retired after 30 years in beef extension and outreach work at Iowa State. The “Welcome to Class” Agriculture Educators Podcast, hosted by Carli Erickson, crop science youth education coordinator for the Integrated Pest Management Program at Iowa State, discusses best teaching practices and reviews resources available from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Download one or all nine episodes today.
BUG CATCHERS CAN MASTER THEIR CRAFT WITH NEW FIELD GUIDE
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has released a new publication for bug enthusiasts of all ages to become experts at identifying and collecting some of Iowa’s many insects. Be a Bug Catcher: Learn to Collect, Identify and Preserve Insects, includes nine chapters, covering topics like the importance of insects, insect biology and anatomy, collecting supplies and techniques, preserving insects and a list of useful insect terminology and references. More
LOOKING AT LONG-TERM TRADEOFFS OF CROP ROTATIONS
A new study examines the mechanisms that drive the decomposition of organic matter in soils that undergo long-term corn and soybean crop rotations. The study shows how corn and soybean rotations can provide important environmental and management benefits for farmers, but the practice also comes with tradeoffs that some farmers may wish to address by adjusting their management practices. More
TIME TO UPGRADE AG DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE
Massive networks of drains, pipes and tiles that enable food production on much of the world’s most productive cropland are due for expansion and replacement to meet the demands of agricultural intensification and climate change. How that infrastructure is updated will have enormous consequences on food production and the environment, according to a new study. More
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FUTURE CHEESEMAKERS
The recently established Dorothy Demeter – Savencia Cheese USA Undergraduate Scholarship, honors the first woman to receive a dairy science degree from Iowa State University and highlights the potential of women to succeed in dairy foods careers. More
DEAL LECTURE BY JIM KNUTH AVAILABLE ONLINE
Jim Knuth, senior vice president for Farm Credit Services of America, presented the 2019 William K. Deal Endowed Leadership Lecture Oct. 2 at Iowa State. Knuth spoke about pursuing greatness and leading others to greatness by setting priorities, keeping a positive attitude and giving your best effort. A video of the full lecture, “Lessons in Leadership and Life,” is available online.
CY’S THE LIMIT FOR CALS STUDENTS ON HOMECOMING CENTRAL
Seven CALS students served on the 2019 Homecoming Central Committee planning a number of events during the annual celebration of Cyclone spirit. Students started planning for homecoming last spring, putting together a week of activities for alumni, students and friends around this year’s theme, “Cy’s the Limit.” More
MORE COLLEGE NEWS
- Iowa Soybean Research Center Awards Funding for Soybean Research at Iowa State University
- FMC Partners with Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University
- Iowa State University Announces New Staff at Research Farms
Alumni News
CALS ALUMNI AND FRIENDS HONORED WITH TOP AWARDS
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Iowa State University Alumni Association presented awards to several CALS alumni and affiliates at the annual Honors and Awards Ceremony on Oct. 25. CALS awardees include (from left to right, top to bottom): Steve Berger (’86 ag business), CALS Floyd Andre Award; Diane Birt, CALS George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award; Dhamu Thamodaran (’83 PhD ag economics), CALS Henry A. Wallace Award; Kelly Norris (’08 horticulture, ’11 MS), CALS Outstanding Young Professional Award; Michael Taylor (’03 ag studies), CALS Outstanding Young Professional Award; Ben Zelle (’14 ag business, management information systems), ISU Alumni Association James A. Hopson Volunteer Service Award; and the Agricultural Business Club, ISU Alumni Association Impact Award. More
ANNEAR EARNS NATIONAL FISHERY AWARD
 At the American Fisheries Society meeting in Reno, Nevada, earlier this month Tom Annear (’75 fisheries and wildlife biology) was presented the society’s Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award. He was honored for his outstanding contributions to the conservation of fishery resources. Annear retired last year from his position as the Wyoming Game and Fish Department water management supervisor after nearly 38 years with the department. More
GLOBAL RESOURCE SYSTEMS MAJOR:
10 YEARS OF IMPACT
Ten years ago, the major global resource systems (GRS) joined the portfolio of academic programs offered by the college. A decade later, GRS has not only survived but thrived. On Oct. 2, CALS held a 10th anniversary celebration in the Scheman Building with 125 faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors, including ISU President Wendy Wintersteen (’88 PhD entomology). A dinner was preceded by a poster session with 35 current GRS students telling stories about their global internships. Celebrating 10 years of the GRS major were alums of the program, including (first row) Natalie Bidner (’18 global resources systems, political science), Dana Jensen (’12 global resource systems), Emily Zimmerman (’11 biology, global resource systems, ’19 PhD sustainable ag, environmental science), Jennifer Lillo (’15 global resource systems, environmental studies), Celize Christy (’16 animal science, global resource systems); (second row) Rebecca Clay (’16 global resource systems, agronomy), Lea Hoefer (’13 global resource systems, political science), Andrew Stanzyk (’13 global resource systems, sociology), Laura Weieneth (’13 global resource systems, horticulture, ’15 MS plant pathology), Moriah Morgan (’14 global resource systems, environmental studies, anthropology); (back row) Sam Bird (’12 global resource systems, economics), Nate Looker (’12 agronomy, global resource systems), Katie Taylor (’12 agronomy, global resource systems) and Jake Swanson (’14 global resource systems). Not pictured: Ellen Franzenburg (’13 global resource systems, ag engineering). More
Connect - Engage - Share
FCA CHAIRMAN SMITH, CALS ALUMNI SHARE EXPERIENCES
Board chairman and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) Glen Smith (’79 ag business) (above) recently visited campus with a contingent of CALS graduates from the FCA: Mike Duffy (’87 ag business), credit program manager; Brent Duey (’06 ag business, animal ecology), examiner; and Mindy Stultz (’07 ag business, international ag), examiner. The group met with college and university administration and alumni shared their experiences with classes of CALS students learning about cooperatives and agricultural finance.
AG BUSINESS ALUMNI ENGAGE WITH INDUSTRY TOUR
The Ag Business Club at Iowa State University visited six organizations during their annual Fall Industry Tour in September. Stops included Corteva, Farm Credit Services of America and New Balance Commodities. CALS alumni working at Farm Credit Services of America provided a panel presentation for students in the club: Travis Meisgeier (’16 ag and life sciences education), financial officer; Rhonda Young (’04 ag business, public service and administration in ag), credit analyst; Shelby Carey (’15 ag business, international ag), real estate appraiser; Tom Venner (’80 ag business), financial officer; Ben Fisher (’04 ag business), insurance officer. Club members also visited AGP, Farmers National Company and The Scoular Company (pictured), where they met with CEO Paul Maass (’88 ag business).
CALS ALUMNI CONNECT WITH NON-AG STUDENTS
Three CALS freshman participated in the Agricultural Weekend Experience program on Oct. 12. Clair Cunningham, animal science, grew up in Connecticut; Nathan Scott, agricultural business, grew up near Los Angeles; and Beatrice Maule, agricultural business, is from Italy. The purpose of the AWE program is to introduce students who have no experience in agriculture to farmers and professionals in ag related industries. All four farm hosts emphasized the importance of water quality, energy efficiency and caring for livestock. The first stop was at Jacob Handsaker’s (’04 ag studies) near Radcliffe, Iowa. Handsaker is a fifth-generation farmer who farms row crops, finishes pigs and has an excavating business. The second stop was Eagle's Catch aquaculture owned by Joe Sweeney (’13 ag business) in Ellsworth, Iowa. The third stop was at A.J. (’03 ag business) and Kellie Blair’s (’16 forestry, agronomy) fifth generation cattle farm in Dayton, Iowa (pictured). And, the final stop was at Nick Hermanson’s (’06 agronomy) row crop and turkey operation near Story City, Iowa. More
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